Friday, 19 March 2010

"Documentation obtained by Joystiq – and subsequently confirmed with two separate sources – reveals that "USB Mass Storage Device Support on Xbox 360" will soon be a reality. The document, authored by a senior software development engineer at Microsoft, states that due to "increased market penetration of high-capacity, high throughput USB mass storage devices, a 2010 Xbox 360 system update" will allow consumers to save and load game data from USB devices. The update is purportedly coming in Spring 2010. Once the update occurs, Xbox 360 owners will be able to download Xbox Live Arcade games, Xbox Live Indie games, Games on Demand, DLC and Title Updates to the storage device. "USB storage devices may, however, have far greater memory capacity than MUs (at the date of writing, the largest MU is 512 MB), and may therefore support previously infeasible operations-such as installation of a full disc-based title." That's right, you can also store disc-based games to the USB device; however, it will require the disc to be in the tray for authentication, identical to the current functionality"

Well this all sounds great but there is a catch - No matter the size of the USB the maximum usable amount of memory is 16GB - not the greatest however still a lot better then the crappy sized Microsoft memory cards. This will most probably spell the end for the Microsoft memory card business but I don't think there ever was a big one anyway - I just wonder if they will try and put any limitations on using the memory stick on a computer and transferring your profile and items across - as we all know what that leads to!

It's still to early to say but I for one am glad to hear its finally being implemented - I get tired of having to carry my Memory card around just to play on my profile, but A memory stick is usually with me all the time anyway.

"If you're intent on circumventing Microsoft's cutthroat hard drive pricing the Xbox 360, you can use two USB storage devices for a maximum of 32 GB of usable storage; however, the console "has a fixed limit of two external USB mass storage devices" regardless of whether they're "formatted for the Xbox 360 or not." If you fill all three USB ports on the console, only the first two to be connected will be recognized."

Well who isn't giving out theses anymore? we had a baseball bat in L4D2 and then... well I'll tel lyou when I remember some more but it seems Red Dead Redemption has also jumped on the band wagon! check out a few of the videos and decide which ones you want for yourself

The Deadly Assassin Outfit

The Deadly Assassin Outfit causes your Dead Eye meter to regenerate at twice the speed. With more Dead Eye, you have more time to place each shot with total accuracy, making you the deadliest gunslinger in any fight. Watch the video above to see the Deadly Assassin in action and visit www.gamestop.com/reddead or read on below to get more info on the outfit and its special gameplay advantages.

THE GOLDEN GUNS WEAPON PACKThe player who wields the exclusive Golden Guns receives more Fame for each kill. The more Fame you get, the more in-game side missions become available. So there will be more opportunities to duel, more kidnapped townsfolk to rescue and you can bribe lawmen for less. The Golden Guns Weapon Pack is exclusive to Amazon pre-orders in bothNorth America and the U.K., and Amazon.com customers will also receive a $10 Amazon.com Gift Card.

THE WAR HORSEThere are countless horses to be found in the massive world of Red Dead Redemption, but none is stronger, faster or tougher than the exclusive War Horse. Whether storming gang hideouts, exploring the wilderness for hidden treasure, or outrunning the law, the War Horse gives gunslingers an advantage in nearly every situation. The War Horse is exclusive to Best Buy pre-orders in North America and HMV pre-orders in the U.K.

Now I don'y know about you but I seem to want all of these... Guess I'll just be buying the special edition with ALL of them then ;)

"This all-inclusive Limited Edition for Red Dead Redemption features the full game, The Deadly Assassin Outfit, the Golden Gun Weapon pack, the War Horse and the originally scored soundtrack from the game."